Tingena Explained

Tingena is a genus of the concealer moth family (Oecophoridae).[1] This genus is endemic to New Zealand.[2]

Taxonomy

This genus was described by Francis Walker in 1864.[3] The type species is Tingena bifaciella Walker, by original monotypy. Tingena bifaciella has been synonymised with Tingena armigerella. As at 2021 this genus is regarded as being in need of revision.[4] There are also several species in this genus that are as yet undescribed.

Life cycle and hosts

The larvae of species within the genus Tingena are active in New Zealand's mid to late summer and slowly continue to mature throughout the autumn and winter. In late spring or early summer they then pupate.

The larvae of all species within the genus Tingena feed on leaf litter and often larvae of species within this genus coexist in the same area. The larva weave two leaves together with silk forming a cocoon like structure in which they live and from which they feed. These cocoons can be found underneath the layer of loose dry leaf litter but above the layer of moist compacted composing leaf matter. As the larva grows it extends the silken tunnels in which it lives ensuring it can move to new feeding sites. When feeding the larva produces a large amount of frass. It has been hypothesised that the smell of this frass attracts parasitic wasps that utilise Tingena larvae as hosts for their offspring.

Muehlenbeckia australis is a known host of species in the genus Tingena with the larvae feeding on the fallen leaves of this plant.[5]

Species

Species in this genus include:[6]

Notes and References

  1. Dugdale. J. S.. 1988. Lepidoptera-annotated catalogue, and keys to family-group taxa.. Fauna of New Zealand. 14. 1–264. Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research.
  2. Web site: Tingena Walker, 1864. www.nzor.org.nz. Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research. 2018-11-07.
  3. Walker. Francis. 1864. Tineites.. List of the Specimens of Lepidopterous Insects in the Collection of the British Museum. en. 29. 563–835. Biodiversity Heritage Library.
  4. 34.
  5. Patrick. Brian. October 2016. Moths and butterflies love Muehlenbeckia australis. Open Space. 91. 17. Open Spaces magazine.
  6. 462.

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